Is It Just Singing…?

       I was in a meeting some time ago, and the preacher said something that sounded old school at the time. He said, ‘we need to return to the old-time religion when gospel songs were all about God’. Of course in our time now, the term ‘religion’ rubs us off in a wrong way as its definition is the opposite of Who God is. But I believe that was not what the preacher meant. He was not advocating ‘religious’ songs, but songs that were hymnal in nature – songs that solely focused on God (the nature of God)! I saw that the statement did not go down well with most of the congregants as they were murmuring. 

       After the service, I spoke to a sister to know why she murmured during that part of the teaching, and she said those old-time songs are boring and lack life! Wow! This got me thinking and pondering on what the difference could be between most of the popular mainstream present songs and the old-time hymnal-like songs. After all, they were songs that were meant to glorify God. But as I studied under God, I realized that songs sang in the Body of Christ were not ‘mere’ songs but were powerful and as powerful as prayers, because they were meant to be prayers themselves. I remembered some time ago also, a preacher saying when we praise God in songs, we were actually praying twice; that it is a remarkably powerful weapon! And this reminded me of one of the incidents in the Bible where songs were used as a weapon – 2Chronicles 20. 

       When a host of enemy nations came against the children of Israel under king Jehoshaphat to destroy them, the people including the king were afraid and at a loss as to what to do to repel such a huge host of armies. The Bible tells us that the king cried out to God by acknowledging that: “…For we are powerless before this vast multitude that comes to fight against us. We do not know what to do, but we look to You” (2Chronicles 20:12b). Truthfully, it is the same situation we are in this world. The hosts of darkness have arranged themselves in battle array against children of God, and we cannot fight this battle/war and win without the help of our LORD Jesus Christ. 

       The battleground may not seem obvious, but the enemy is using every ground and weapon in his arsenal to launch deadly assaults against the children of God on a daily basis. Just as God replied the king, same He says to us: “…Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast multitude, for the battle is not yours but God’s…You do not have to fight this battle. Position yourselves, stand still, and see the salvation of the LORD. He is with you, Judah and Jerusalem. Do not be afraid or discouraged. Tomorrow, go out to face them, for the LORD is with you” (2Chronicles 20: 15b, 17). The king then went ahead and did something remarkable: “Then he consulted with the people and appointed some to sing for the LORD and some to praise the splendor of His holiness. When they went out in front of the armed forces, they kept singing: ‘Give thanks to the LORD, for His faithful love endures forever.’ The moment they began their shouts and praises, the LORD set an ambush against …who came to fight against Judah, and they were defeated” (2Chronincles 20:21-22). 

       These songs were not to tell the history of Israel or that of the king. But the songs were ALL about God – His Holiness and Glory! And the MOMENT they started singing, God fought for them! Sadly, today we are riddled with songs that glorify flesh, but of course, sprinkled with Scriptures. These songs make the flesh feel good but do nothing in calling the hearts and minds of the hearer back to God – His glory, judgments, imminent return, etc. No wonder when we sing some of these songs, even the agents of darkness sing along with us, as they are not affected by them! 

       Beloved music minister, you have an amazing platform; use it to people the Kingdom of God and not to grow followers on social media platforms and your pockets! Teach people about God, the Kingdom, and most especially, His return. Let people hear your songs and be persuaded to return to the Master. Not for them to hear your song and all they can think about is how they can make it from grass to the palace, just as you have seemingly made it. Jesus Christ is coming and every person will give an account of how their gifts were used to people the Kingdom of God. It is time to do away with these songs that only make the devil smile, and start singing songs inspired by the Spirit of God to empower the people of God with confidence in their God and to put the enemy and his agents to flight. God bless you as we yield ourselves to the Spirit of God to be a mighty instrument in His hands at this time!